It's official! The International Olympic Committee awarded Paris the organisation of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Let's take a preliminary tour of a few emblematic sites that will be used for the occasion.

From the Champs-Élysées to the Invalides The Seine flutters about with excitement: the ICO (International Olympic Committee) has announced that Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics, four years after Tokyo. The French capital already wakes up to the glow of the Olympic flame! The 7th and 8th arrondissements will soon be the stage of raging events between the international titans of every sport. Archers will shoot their arrows from the green grass of the Invalides. Mounting their machines, cyclists will reach the Arc de Triomphe at all costs. Marathon runners and daring swimmers defying the Seine will outline the Eiffel Tower, with confident crawling or steady steps. Still on the left bank, national beach-volley and football 5-a-side teams will fiercely compete on the Champs de Mars, equipped accordingly with a large sand field. On the right bank, the heart of the Grand Palais monumental venue, made of stone and steel, will be invaded by the greatest fencers and taekwondo practitioners. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Around the Seine-Saint-Denis department Explore what has been called the Grand Paris (the Greater Paris) to witness various Olympic and Paralympic events. On the program, expect team sports with synchronised swimming, water polo and volleyball. Gaze with admiration at athletes competing at diving and wheelchair fencing, and discover boccia, a sport of Roman-Greek origin. Once a factory, the Cité du Cinéma film studio will become the centrepiece of the Olympic village, where thousands of athletes coming from all around the will seek some well-earned rest. Not far from the future aquatic centre, the spectacular Stade de France (the country's national stadium) will bring audiences to tears with its share of unique emotions and experiences. For team sports enthusiasts, head to Le Bourget where pavilions 1 & 2 will hold the promise of remarkable experiences amid already functional arenas. Still in the same department, you will find the two main media centres: one is a new district built sustainable excellency in mind while the other is a legendary site perfected by use of innovative technology. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beyond the Périphérique From Boulogne-Billancourt to Vanves and other cities located on the other side of the Paris périphérique (ring road), the most astonishing sites and compounds of the capital will welcome numerous events: handball, table tennis, basketball, goal ball, rugby and football will please all ball fans. In Paris Expo Hallways 1 and 4, the view onto the Eiffel Tower is astounding! The adjustably immense capacity of the Pierre-de-Coubertin and Jean-Bouin stadiums – hallmarks of Parisian sport – will dazzle spectators. On their side, the famous Parc des Princes stadium avant-garde modernity and timeless Rolland-Garros prestigious clay courts will remind many of you of very emotional moments. There will be a time for venturing a little further away from the capital. In a few years time, you will bear witness to a contest of international scope while catching all sorts of champs in their glory. Patience will be rewarded! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Versailles, the land of kings Outside the capital, there is an architectural gem that is just as iconic and impressive as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées: reminder of Sun King Louis XIV and conveying similar power, the Château de Versailles is an invaluable asset for Paris 2024. In the gardens, you will enjoy Olympic and Paralympic events like Equestrian dressage and jumping as well as modern pentathlon. A few steps away, the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines stadium (which is the direct result of Paris bid for the 2012 Olympics) will welcome track cyclists and urge BMX riders to inaugurate the covered track. Expect double flips, bunny ups, candy bars and foot plants! Perched on the Élancourt hill, mountain bikers will overlook the entire Paris region while the best golfers in the world will settle scores on one of Europe's most beautiful courses. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Around the City of Lights Some 12 miles east of Paris, you will reach the Vaires-sur-Marne water sports centre. Another legacy of the Paris 2012 bid, it is once again under close scrutiny. How could it be enhanced to best welcome sprint and slalom canoeing as well as rowing events? There is little doubt this immense lake of the Paris region will be the ideal location for all athletes in their sporting disciplines. Near Nanterre and Colombes on the other side of Paris, the huge Arena 92 complex will house rhythmic and artistic gymnastics, trampoline events and permit weightlifters to flex their muscles. The Yves-du-Manoir stadium, modern and practical emblem of the 1924 Olympics, will receive hockey games. Paralympic judo and taekwondo events will take place at the Zenith venue in Paris. Eventually, the Bercy Arena in the 12th arrondissement will be assisted by a second stadium to let all judo, basketball, wrestling and tennis table athletes practice their art.